STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY AMBASSADOR DUMISANI S. KUMALO, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION ON STRENGTHENING OF THE ECONMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 20 November 2006)

Madame President

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the adoption of the resolution on the Strengthening of the Economic and Social Council. With the adoption of this resolution the United Nations has reaffirmed the Economic and Social Council’s role as the central mechanism for system-wide coordination in promoting the integrated and coordinated implementation of, and follow-up to, the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences in the economic, social and related fields and as a principal Charter body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on issues of economic and social development.

The Group of 77 and China is pleased that the mandate from our leaders has been adhered to in accordance with the World Summit Outcome and that ECOSOC has been strengthened with the creation of a biennial Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) and an Annual Ministerial Review (AMR).

The G77 and China welcomes the new strengthened role of the Substantive Session and the fact that the General Assembly has decided that the DCF will, in the context of international economic and development cooperation, identify gaps, review trends and progress and give policy guidance and recommendations with the main objective being the  enhancement of the implementation of internationally agreed development cooperation and the issues affecting the realization of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.

We further welcome the decision that the DCF should undertake regular and periodic reviews and assessments of international economic and development policies, and their impact on development. This is a vital element which will enable the ECOSOC to play a major role in the efficient use of monitoring and follow-up mechanisms to ensure that commitments and actions are effectively implemented in the context of international economic and development policies and cooperation.

The G77 and China looks forward to deliberations on a high level in the AMR to review progress and implementation by means of a cross-sectoral approach, focusing on thematic issues common to the outcomes of the major United Nations Conferences and Summits in the economic, social and related fields, as well to assess the achievement of the goals and targets of the Conferences and Summits.

The Group of 77 and China believes that the resolution clearly and distinctly outlines the relationship between the Peace Building Commission and ECOSOC. This will enrich and enhance the work of the PBC in post conflict development and reconstruction.

Madame President

The Group welcomes the recognition by Member States that there has been insufficient provision of conference services and substantive support to the Council’s meetings, which has impeded the Council’s ability to fulfill its mandate. The Group of 77 and China therefore welcomes the renewed recognition that the Council, as a Charter body is entitled to convene meetings as and when needed, with full substantive support and conference services to facilitate its strengthened mandate, and in particular, when it relates to humanitarian emergencies.

On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I would like to thank you Madame President for your involvement at the end to bring about consensus as well as the two Co-Chairs, the Ambassadors from Mali and Belgium and the Facilitator, Mr Carlos Ruiz Massieu Aquirre from Mexico, for their dedication, patience and hard work.  We also acknowledge the cooperation of our negotiating partners who made it possible for us to adopt this important resolution by consensus.

I thank you.